Chagossian Government
Chagossian Government | |
|---|---|
Self-declared government | |
|
Seal | |
| Motto: In Defence of Our Homeland | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom British Indian Ocean Territory |
| Detachment from British Mauritius | 8 November 1965 |
| Declaration of government in exile | 16 December 2025 |
| Declaration of Return | 17 February 2026 |
| Capital | Île du Coin 5°27′S 71°46′E / 5.450°S 71.767°E |
| Official languages | English Chagossian creole |
| Government | Self-declared government |
• First Minister | Misley Mandarin |
| Population | |
• 2026 estimate | 6 |
The Chagossian Government is a rival government claiming to represent the Chagossian people of the British Indian Ocean Territory, based on Île du Coin in the north of the territory. It was formed in December 2025 as the Chagossian Government-in-Exile, and dropped the "in-exile" from its name on 17 February 2026 following its leader Misley Mandarin's return to the islands.
The Chagossian Government supports the retention of British sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory and the Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia military base and opposes proposals to transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius.